Phil and Kathleen Cooke
Founders
As the founders of Cooke Pictures, Phil and Kathleen Cooke have assembled a remarkable team of forward thinking media professionals that span every phase of traditional and emerging media. CNN's Paula Zahn has called Phil the only working producer in Hollywood with a Ph.D. in Theology. Kathleen's experience in front of the camera as a commercial actress, casting director, and interviewer bring balance to their media perspective. As producers and media strategists, Phil and Kathleen lead a team that advises many of the largest and most effective non-profit and faith-based social media organizations in the world. The Cooke's enjoy educating others with the power of niche media and speak nationally and internationally at workshops, seminars, and conferences. Cooke Pictures' consulting clients include a virtual "who's who" in the faith-based and non-profit niche markets.
Kimberly Robinson
Production and Financial Account Manager
Kimberly Robinson's fascination with working in the entertainment industry was sparked at the age of sixteen through an opportunity to personally interview Celine Dion. Wanting to combine her faith in God with her desire to work in entertainment, she landed the lead role in a community theater production while obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication from North Greenville College in Tigerville, SC. As a student, her three-year involvement as a volunteer at the National Religious Broadcasters Conference moved her interests more toward faith-based media. Kimberly demonstrated her passion for developing quality programming by creating NGC Vision, North Greenville's Campus Television Station.
Kimberly completed her college with an internship through the Los Angeles Film Studies Center as an assistant for the popular television shows Extra and Celebrity Justice. Since then, she has worked for Audiences Unlimited on such shows as Everybody Loves Raymond, That 70s Show, The Peoples Choice Awards, The American Music Awards, and The Oprah Show: After the Oscars before joining the Cooke Pictures Team.
Sydney Alford
Client Coordinator
Sydney Alford joined the Cooke Pictures team after “surviving” the 2009 Biola Media Conference as the Volunteer Coordinator and Assistant to the Conference Directors. Sydney is a Magna Cum Laude graduate from Biola University with a B.A. in Film/ Television/ Radio. As a student, Sydney produced dozen of award winning student films, and was selected as the “Most Outstanding” Film/TV/Radio student of her graduating class. She brings over seven years of experience working with public television and non-profit groups to the Cooke Pictures table. Sydney is an expert at multi-tasking on her iPhone and doing everything Phil asks – before he even asks it.
Brad Knull
Senior Producer | Director
It’s been more than fifteen years since Brad Knull first cut his teeth in the fast-paced world of music videos. Since that time he has become a seasoned creative professional with extensive experiences in all facets of production from feature films to commercial spots, live events, political work, national television specials and everything in between. His deep expertise in creative development, emotional storytelling, and innovative approaches have made him a writer/producer/dp/director/editor that is in high demand with a variety of Fortune 50 companies as well as high profile faith based clientele. As a founding member of Blue Yonder Films, Brad produced the Sundance Festival feature film selection Chillicothe and continues to explore the craft of filmmaking through his current Documentary project, “House of Love” shot on location in Thailand.
Gary Dowd
Writer | Producer
Senior Media Advisor
A New England native, Gary Dowd relocated to Central California after serving in the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Service where he held a Secret classification. Following that, he attended California State University at Fresno, majoring in Radio/Television/Film. Faced with the decision to relocate to Hollywood, Gary chose instead to work in the nonprofit world and accepted a position as Television Creative Director with “Feed The Children” in Oklahoma City. He also spent 10 years as Senior Producer/Writer for “Samaritans Purse” and “The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.” Gary then became the Senior Producer/Writer for The Russ Reid Company based in Pasadena, California, putting his fundraising, infomercial, and direct response experience to work for organizations such as World Vision, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, & The Association of Gospel Rescue Missions. A veteran producer, Gary is a multiple Telly Award winner and he has produced, written, directed, photographed and edited television specials, commercials, documentaries, corporate films, telethons, training programs and dramatic presentations for television, educational and theatrical release on six continents and in more than 75 countries.
Chandra Hope
Producer | Editor | Motion Graphics
Chandra first got the taste for film and television while on a mission’s trip to Nepal and India. After shooting footage of the experience she sat (and slept) in an edit bay for weeks. That fun project turned into a life passion and a B.A. in TV/Film from Vanguard University. An Internship at BMG Entertainment introduced her to print and digital media design which she later used developing media content and promotional pitches for clients such as Cisco, GM, and Microsoft. Since that time, she has also worked with a wide range of religious ministry & humanitarian organizations. Chandra loses her car keys but will never lose her passion for post-production and design. She strives to be her best and eats, sleeps and dreams in RGB, and finds that a good render makes for a happy day.
Network
Coast to coast, Cooke Pictures has established a unique network of consulting producers and creative directors. Each an experienced industry professional, they are the "point people" for many of our media projects and client relationships. Their advice, consultation, leadership, and production expertise is a key element in creating the best program or project. More important, their award winning experience provides our clients with the breakthrough thinking and creative strategy that leads to success.
Chris Perry
Art Director
Chris is passionate about excellence in graphic design and its strategic application. A master at visually interpreting client aspirations, Chris has created identities for many large secular and christian organisations globally including Hillsong Church Australia. Chris' abilities ensure creative material conceived at Cooke Pictures are successfully translated across all aspects of our clients marketing activity. Having designed for print for 20 years and digital for 10, Chris brings a strong, fresh corporate approach to the design of logos, brochures, web sites, packaging, signage and corporate identity guidelines.
Darren Moorman
Producer
In 1997 Darren relocated to Los Angeles, after being invited to help start Second Image Studios, based on his business and investment skills as well as his talent for networking. Two years later he produced a feature length film, All Over Again, winner of the Santa Clarita Film Festival starring Craig T. Nelson and Robert Loggia.
Darren has worked for industry leaders such as: MGM, National Geographic, Shoreline Entertainment, and DIRECTV, and has gained the trust and respect of many key players and companies in the entertainment industry. He has been mentored by the acclaimed Producer Howard Kazanjian (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars, Return of the Jedi). He has also worked with some top actors such as Denzel Washington, Danny Devito, John Goodman, Marisa Tomei, Julia Stiles, Chris Evans, Robert Carlyle, and David Strathairn. Darren was a producer on the feature film “Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing and Charm School” which was an official selection of the 2005 Sundance Film Festival and was released theatrically. Darren re-teamed with Morris Ruskin of Shoreline Entertainment, and Produced the “The Fifth Patient” shot in Mexico. His latest feature film to produce is called Sensation of Sight, starring David Strathairn, shot in New Hampshire, and is presently moving around festivals.
Graphic Animation and Design
Steve Taylor
Producer | Editor
Steve is one of our longest relationships for a reason - he is highly creative, and gets results. An award winning graphic designer and animator, Steve has been the a key creative element in some of our most talked about and remembered projects. His program openings, commercials, and graphic elements have taken our client's projects to new levels of visability, and he leaves a strong creative mark on everything he does. He is also founder and Creative Director of Digital Spatula in Los Angeles.
In Memory of
Maggie Mae
Vice President of Morale
Trusty, loyal, and slightly off center, Maggie Mae gives the office a much needed jolt of inspiration and is our Executive in Charge of Morale, Recreation, and Chewing. After all, every employee needs to throw sticks now and then, and Maggie is there to bring them back without fail.
Sure she has a few weird habits, (although her salary and benefit packages are pretty cheap), but the best thing about Maggie is that she thinks every project is fantastic, and every client is her best friend.
...and where else can you find that kind of pal?
